*58

Pick up your ear, I'll let you pick it up!

From a high vantage point, Hermione watched Pierce bend down to retrieve his severed ear, a thought flashing through her mind.

Suddenly, memories from a past life began to flood her.

After the attack that night, Hermione knew she had to send a message. If she didn't, it wouldn't deter them, and they'd only escalate their efforts.

After this show of strength, Hydra would likely stay in line until they found a way to counter wizards, avoiding further confrontations.

Even though Hydra's existence was advantageous to her for now, she couldn't let them walk all over her without responding.

That's why she paid Pierce a visit.

It's not the ability to kill their operatives that's frightening; it's the precision with which she found their leader that truly terrifies them.

In any organization, a leader's value surpasses that of any soldier, and they fear death more.

---

The next day.

At the Triskelion, Nick Fury met with Pierce.

Although they worked in the same building, they were on different floors.

Fury was always busy, seldom visiting him.

"What brings you here?" Pierce asked with a smile as Fury arrived.

Glancing at the bandage around Pierce's ear, Fury got straight to the point: "I heard you got injured last night. Came to check on you."

Pierce feigned nonchalance: "Just a minor accident. Tripped at home and scratched myself. Once bandaged, I'm fine."

Turning away, his expression darkened slightly.

After Hermione sliced off his ear, Pierce had rushed to the hospital, hoping to have it reattached.

However, no matter the doctor's efforts, the wound kept bleeding, refusing to heal.

Pierce realized Hermione's magic was preventing the wound from closing.

In the end, he had no choice but to endure the pain, cut away more flesh, cover the wound, and cauterize it with a laser to finally stop the bleeding.

Reattaching the ear was out of the question.

Now, he had to endure curious stares, becoming the one-eared leader.

Fury remained indifferent to his excuse.

After a brief silence, he suddenly asked, "There was a shootout three blocks away last night. Did you hear about it?"

"The scene was a mess, full of bodies and drone debris. Strangely, despite the gunfire, only one side seemed to have casualties."

Pierce stared out the window, unmoved.

"I heard a group of terrorists broke in and were neutralized."

Fury added: "What terrorist can clear an entire block and disable all nearby surveillance? This is D.C., not the Middle East."

Pierce took a deep breath, tired of the charade: "Say what you mean."

Fury nodded.

"Miss Wizard and S.H.I.E.L.D. were finally getting along. Why did you go after her?"

Seeing the scene last night, Fury had already guessed Hermione was involved. Though shocked by her ability to eliminate dozens of armed personnel, he was even more furious that someone within S.H.I.E.L.D. had ordered an attack on her!

Only S.H.I.E.L.D. could pull off such an operation here.

While investigating who gave the order, he heard about Pierce's mysterious home injury and missing ear.

It dawned on him.

Pierce must have ordered Hermione's capture, underestimated her power, and his team was wiped out. Enraged, Hermione confronted him, taking his ear.

Given Pierce's reaction, Fury's suspicions were likely correct!

Pierce was also irked by Fury's attitude. He'd promoted Fury, and now he was being questioned!

"I'll tell you why. She's a threat, as is the mysterious wizarding world! S.H.I.E.L.D. exists to eliminate threats to the world!"

Pierce fumed.

Surprised by Pierce's stance, Fury frowned:

"Hermione's power is remarkable. We need her. Only through her can we truly understand what we've never encountered."

"I don't see her as a threat. Most importantly, her identity isn't simple. She may have deep ties in the wizarding world, and we shouldn't act rashly."

Pierce asked, "Do you know she has mind control?"

Fury's eyes widened.

He hadn't heard of this.

"Didn't think so."

Pierce nodded. "Yes, she used it on me. You can't imagine how terrifying it is to be completely controlled. No agent can resist her! Maybe you're under her control without knowing!"

"Why do you think she hid this magic from you?"

Fury pondered, then shook his head.

"Even so, it's no reason for such a direct attack. I'm sure you wouldn't have acted if not provoked."

Pierce replied calmly: "You're right. So I'm not pursuing it further. I'll leave the wizard matter to you. Just don't withhold information. Remember, I'm also at alpha level and have the right to know everything about S.H.I.E.L.D."

Seeing Pierce's inconsistent behavior, Fury sensed something was off but couldn't pinpoint it.

However, he never logged Hermione's details in the database. How did Pierce know...?

A few familiar faces flashed in his mind.

Seeing Fury leave, Pierce felt relieved.

He knew Fury would question him, so he feigned feeling threatened to divert suspicion.

After all, he wouldn't normally act this way, and Fury must know it.

Nick Fury... wizard...

Pierce was beginning to see Fury as a problem.

The "Insight Project" needed acceleration... Fury was slipping out of control, and it was time to plan his removal...

---

Back in the Harry Potter world, with the holidays still on, Hermione spent some time with her original parents.

Though they felt somewhat strange to her, a time traveler, she couldn't say she disliked them.

They were genuinely good people and very kind to Hermione.

After a few days, she got used to it.

"I can't use magic; my hands are itching..."

Hermione lay on her bed, waving her wand in boredom.

The Ministry of Magic had placed traces on underage students' wands, prohibiting magic outside school. In the Marvel world, she could play with magic freely, but here, she had to be a good girl for now.

And Muggle technology was lacking, especially in the late 20th century.

In the Marvel world, she could entertain herself online, but here, she was limited to simple pleasures.